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Post by Meta on Oct 15, 2019 2:35:48 GMT -4
Soleil leaned back slowly whilst Madame Knigi answered, maintaining poise as he did so. He then went for a final sip of his cup of tea, enjoying its fragrance before finishing it off and setting it down on the table.
"A man of my position has many matters he may pay attention to. Naturally, the rebellion is a detrimental force to the state of affairs in Hyrule, and though they have leadership, their main power comes from the common folk, so unlike nobles staging rebellions, there is no common land or house to which the kingdom could naturally attribute to be the source of such a movement. And it would not do well for the crown to turn every stone in the kingdom, troubling the innocent..."
Soleil gently tapped the table with his finger, but kept looking at his guest. "In this broad sense, they are everywhere and nowhere. However, an attentive person could notice patterns." The sheikah reached for some of his papers on the tent and pulled a scroll from their midst, unfurling it into a map of Hyrule featuring trade routes and major settlements.
"Over the last few months, there have been robberies, roadside ambushes to get armaments, and sometimes supplies. Nothing out of the usual, tracks well covered as there is no apparent pattern. Yet, if you look here..." He spoke as his finger slid towards Necluda. "The amount of ambushes is lower here than anywhere else." Soleil tilted his head lightly. "You could attribute that to lower interest, military presence and how overall, Necluda is a more isolated province. A convincing excuse to how a soldier may think. And a soldier is what the King happens to be as well..."
He shook his head lightly at the notion, as his eyes fell upon the map. "But, were I to think as a person who has a reason to hide, unlike a soldier does...well, that would make the explanation quite different indeed. This lower rate of ambushes would mean this is where I operate from, and I keep a token amount of ambushes to maintain the impression that it is a place of no importance, yet not ignored to an amount that'd arouse suspicion..."
Soleil then looked back at Madame Knigi, as his finger remained squarely pointed at Loshlo Harbor. "That is the way someone of my position would come to know of such things."
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Post by NajaSide on Nov 4, 2019 0:28:01 GMT -4
The Madame followed the young man's movements, eyes watching as the map was unfurled, as each finger splayed across the map, as he tapped its features.
Of course.
As it would be for these all the more material and the linear, it all fell down to these earthly ways of thinking. Calculating their movements through these individual moments, these awkwardly placed, youthful, childish steps. But when babes played with babes, it would indeed be the fairest method for them to calculate and understand one another.
And so, effective it was. Indeed, the thought of man.
The elderly woman nodded thoughtfully, accepting his his explanation. She needed to know no more, no less than he had provided.
So then, it seemed their agreed introductions to one another had been met. She inclined her head a little. "Now, you have said your situation is in need of some support. Tell me vat Madame can provide. Maybe she can live another day vith some use, huh?" The Madame let out a small chuckle.
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Post by Meta on Nov 6, 2019 13:11:37 GMT -4
The merchant nodded briefly, adjusting his cravat then folding back the map before taking his seat. "I was raised in the culture of the Gerudo, so for long I have heard much more of Din and her divine fire than I have heard of the other two. The gift of the flame has given us a means to sustain our life and civilization, no matter where we are from, in this world."
Soleil then gently tapped the surface of the table. "But, it would seem as though those who share my blood have found a...purer, better flame to use than the ordinary, red flame to which most are used. And with it, I am led to believe they are constructing wonders beyond belief. So, Madame, if you are blessed with the capacities I believe you are, I would want you to find me a source of that flame to call my own, and the knowledge to harness it." He gestured outwards towards the Oasis. "The civilization I will build upon this will go much further if that is the fire I harness for their benefit..."
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Post by NajaSide on Nov 12, 2019 2:42:38 GMT -4
Knigi's eyes remained downward, held on the spot where the map had been, and then following his fingers as he tapped away, mapping out his thoughts to her. Then, as he shared the details of his request with her, her brows rose high, and she let out a small exclamation.
The woman stood, grasping Soleil by his wrist. "Ah! Ah, da. Is indeed said zat it from zese sacred hearths zat sages of old vould draw forth veapons filled vith immeasurable power. And to zink zat zey may be in use again..." She seemed almost lost in thought for several moments.
Then her grip tightened and she leaned forward across the table. As she brought herself in closer, the deep wrinkles upon her face began to move, shifting unnaturally, splitting and opening into another eye. Another eye. Another eye. And for the first time, those red eyes stared directly into Soleil's own, haloed by the shimmering sunset of her shawl. The light about the tent seemed almost to fade, and yet none of what was there grew any more shadowed as she thus spoke, her voice deep as it spoke into his mind:
"Day fast approaches ven gates vill not hold. Vile eyes zat avait beyond hold not heart for light nor dark. Shining above all, its crimson heart bold. Holy powers, zey do burn, but alone, zey are not but spark."
Madame Knigi continued to stare into his eyes for several moments more, allowing silence to fall within the tent. And then she sagged before him, her grip on his arm falling loose and with it their surroundings. She rested a hand upon the table, breathing deeply. Whatever those eyes upon her face had been, they were now gone, seemingly no longer present on her form.
She let out a small grunt and tiredly sat back in her seat. She breathed heavily once she sat down, and after several long moments, she spoke to Soleil, her expression low and tired. "Zis fire zat you seek... It vill be brought to you. You vill see my grand daughter when she comes, and vith her, flame."
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Post by Meta on Nov 12, 2019 18:43:53 GMT -4
As she revealed a nature beyond the ordinary, Soleil listened to the strange prophecy in a stern but attentive manner, keeping a brow raised. At the end, he adjusted his cravat and gave a firm nod. "You are one of my most unorthodox business partners, Madame Knigi, but I do not discriminate. I am thankful you could arrange the flame." He answered coolly, treating the events with a level head.
Then, he got up from his seat and walked over to the exit of the tent, pushing its veil aside, overlooking the construction work. "When the day arrives, the whole board will change. I'll ensure my pieces are in position by then..." He kept his eyes on the cranes raising the stones, his mind many miles away before he turned to look at the madame over his shoulder.
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Post by NajaSide on Nov 14, 2019 2:26:32 GMT -4
Though tired, the Madame gave a casual wave of her hand from her seat. "Eh, vas simple talk. Is good to know businessman or two." Resting, she gazed distantly across the tent.
"Is good to be ready... More ready one can be, more one can protect vat matters ven one needs. Zat is why I come." She drew in a deep breath and slowly stood up. "Mm, but I too need to be ready. Zere is much to be done, and look at me! Ach! Don't have much time left, huh? Can't dilly dally here all day."
She leaned up onto her walking stick and made her way to the tent entrance, peering out upon the settlement beside Soleil. Above them, the sky was starting to dim and in the distance there were shouts. Calls from the Stratling groups. An evening was ahead. A night to lead the way. "Perhaps ve'll cross paths again, Mister Soleil. Who knows vat future holds." She laughed again and began to depart.
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Post by Meta on Nov 17, 2019 13:38:07 GMT -4
Later on...
Deep in the confines of the oasis lay a chamber of rock, the sound of metallic clangs echoing within it. A handful of workers shaped a pedestal of wrought iron, housing within it a shimmering hexagonal stone, which supported the bowl of a brazier.
Two people stood by its entrance, observing the work. The first firmly holding his hands behind his back, a passive gaze and steady, timed breaths. The second inspected her nails, humming to herself, at times stopping to look between the center of the chamber and the one next to her.
This had been a fascinating venture, and by far the most unusual string of requests she had received in a long time. It made her realize how predictable her life had become as of late. The sheikah, however, never ceased to amuse her. Much less this one.
The hammering went on, loud as a tolling bell. Neither flinched, nor dared break the silence. To be fair, it was quite annoying to her, yet it was well worth this little game between those present. The notion alone merited another look at the stony expression of her companion, stiff and composed. The worker's strikes grew faster and erratic during this, until it was done.
Sweating, the workers set aside their tools. One let out a sigh of relief, inspecting their job as he wiped his brow. Another couldn't help but to keep gazing between the brazier and the two by the entrance, with each shift lowering his head more and more lest he meet their eyes. The remainder traded looks, mouthing off words to one another.
Nonetheless, the sharply dressed man and the cloaked woman remained as they were. The former's eyes aimed nowhere in particular yet almost as if they looked at each and every last one of them. Her eyes looked just about anywhere she pleased. She hadn't established any particular notion of composure, and the looks the workers would give her when she locked eyes with them never got old.
Awkward shifts and faint hushes were exchanged between the laborers, until one decided to step forth, tipping his cap to their observers and starting to walk away after picking up the tools. It took a few moments, but the others began to follow. They were passing right by them as the man adjusted his cravat and gave a firm nod.
At that moment, the cloaked woman's hands moved swiftly as her nails slashed at the workers, who promptly dropped what they held, gasping and beginning to contort on the ground. It was fast acting, they wouldn't have to suffer it long. She would've particularly enjoyed a lengthier moment so she could bask in it, but the sheikah had been very specific on this...
The sharply dressed man bit his lip and closed his eyes, then moved forward onto the brazier.
His companion did not fail to notice that, as her lips curled into a grin. She walked beside him, and reached for a lantern by her hip, opening it up and releasing its flame upon the brazier, lighting the chamber in hues of blue. She wondered if the makers of this flame had ever intended for blood to be spilled over it.
But she did not linger on that thought, as it was far more entertaining to watch the little hairline fractures on an otherwise firm stone wall of composure. Was he writhing within, much as those innocent souls were but mere moments ago?
It was then that he looked upon her, brow twitching as he noticed her contentment. She simply extended her hand out, tilting her head. Oh, she got to see it a second time...it was hard not to grin.
Slowly, he unsheathed a longblade from its scabbard. Looking upon himself in the reflection, then handing over the hilt to the cloaked woman.
She grabbed it and then interred the blade into the brazier with little effort. She didn't presume to understand the motives for it, yet it seemed quite fitting. Afterwards, she dusted off her hands and looked back at him with a wink.
"That would be enough." Soleil spoke up, slowly. He looked to the flame, before striking the stone below with the scabbard, making the brazier go dark as the chamber around them aged.
The woman shrugged. "A deal is a deal..." she was almost singing those words, as she looked over her shoulders at the dead. "Shame I'm not part of it." She said, moving towards them, flicking her wrists and slowly burning the remains away into ash. She wouldn't want to press all his buttons, usually a bad idea as her experience would tell her. Yet, it was very tempting. She wouldn't be around here to enjoy this further...
The sheikah walked after her, shook his head then stiffly gestured towards the corridor. With that, the two left the chamber.
Arriving on the surface, the cloaked woman couldn't help but to speak up. "So the ends justify the means?" She wondered if he would even answer, but she didn't regret asking.
He looked back at her, his stony gaze returned. "They always do. But that does not absolve anyone from the weight of the choices made along the way." With that, Soleil gestured towards the cloaked woman. "Aiding and harming any with no distinction, going by in a meandering fashion. Seeking only survival and indulgence." He raised a brow. "Those seem to be means without end. Is that why you've beckoned your master's call? To seek meaning?"
She frowned, raising a claw to the sheikah. He had quite some gall to say it...seems she had underestimated him. "I answer to no one but to myself."
He didn't break eye contact nor move away. "How much of yourself can you really say to be your own thoughts?" Soleil inquired calmly. "To one such as myself it takes focus to distinguish what conclusions I have reached on my own and which I should attribute to my culture and upbringing...but you..." He tilted his head slightly to the side. "...perhaps you do not mind it as much. Your nature is so interwoven, after all."
With that, he looked down to her claw and grabbed it firmly with his hands, shaking it. "It was good to do business with you, Miss Medea. I only ask your discretion. And if you would excuse me, I have letters of restitution to write to five families." And so, he turned away, placing his hands on his back and walking to his tent.
The demoness remained there for a long moment, looking at her own hand. She clenched her claw into a fist, her eye twitching as she muttered under her breath, taking back all she had spoken of his kin. Medea left, making others step aside as though a storm rolled down their path...
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